Wall Article Support

ABSTRACT

A mounting apparatus for clamping to a wall so that articles may be supported on the wall by the mounting apparatus is described. Walls suited for use with the invention include wall with a plurality of niches or projecting opposed faces which include rake cavities of a brick wall, each of which include niche or cavity sides, the mounting apparatus including: at least two jaw bodies for engaging with respective niche sides; and a drive apparatus operatively connected to the jaw bodies which includes an expansion drive apparatus for providing at least an expansion drive force to drive the at least two jaw bodies away from one another so as in use to mount the jaw bodies on niche sides which generally face one another, whether or not the niche sides are in the same niche.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to clamps for supporting articles on walls, and in one particular application, brick walls or general masonry walls.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Mounting articles on walls can be difficult and time consuming, and can involve specialty and expensive tools to drill holes, especially in masonry walls. Masonry walls are not only difficult and unpredictable in density throughout the wall's depth, they require an expanding fastener in order to effectively secure articles to walls, which can be fiddly.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a mounting apparatus for clamping to a wall so that articles may be supported on the wall by the mounting apparatus, the wall having a plurality of niches, each of which include niche sides, the mounting apparatus including: at least two jaw bodies for engaging with respective niche sides; and a drive apparatus operatively connected to the jaw bodies which includes an expansion drive apparatus for providing at least an expansion drive force to drive the at least two jaw bodies away from one another so as in use to mount the jaw bodies on niche sides which generally face one another, whether or not the niche sides are in the same niche.

Preferably the drive apparatus includes a clamp drive so as to drive at least one of the jaw bodies towards the other in a clamping action so as in use to mount the jaw bodies on niche sides which generally face away from one another such as for example on a brick.

Preferably the drive apparatus is operatively connected to at least two jaw bodies so that during driving operation drives both jaw bodies in a positive driving action relative to the other.

Preferably each jaw body is in the form of a jaw block so as to provide a high degree of strength of support for articles supported by the mounting apparatus.

Preferably the jaw block includes a lip so as to insert into the niche to gain a grip on a niche face.

Preferably the lip includes an engagement wall which tapers outwards from the jaw block to provide additional grip in a plane normal to the wall, which improves tear-out force.

Preferably the drive apparatus includes an interengaged mechanism so as to provide a positive drive in which a selected movement of the drive apparatus results in a corresponding and repeatable relative movement of the jaw bodies towards or away from one another.

Preferably the drive apparatus is a threaded bar to facilitate repeatability and positive drive.

Preferably the threaded bar is mounted in opposed faces of the jaw bodies when installed so as to facilitate accurate positioning of the jaw bodies when the drive apparatus is moved.

Preferably the threaded bar includes a right hand thread on one end and a left-hand thread on the other so as to provide a turnbuckle. A central hexagonal nut is preferably provided to facilitate grip and accurate force transfer to the niche sides.

Preferably lock nuts are provided to facilitate holding the jaw bodies in a selected clamped position.

Preferably the threaded bar when assembled mounts in threaded apertures on opposed faces of the jaw bodies.

Preferably one or more mounting devices are provided for mounting articles on the jaw bodies. Preferably the mounting devices include one or more slots arranged parallel to the wall when installed so as to mount articles on the jaw bodies.

Preferably the slots are formed in the upper and lower surfaces to provide extra purchase for mounting brackets and the like.

Preferably the slots are spaced from the wall when installed, so as to facilitate mounting of bracketry and other items on the jaw bodies.

The slots may be in the form of transverse slots or longitudinal slots. Transverse slots extend from side wall to side wall so as to form a hook for mounting a wire for a picture frame, for example. Longitudinal slots may extend through the jaw body and provide walls to provide lateral stability for a mating flange or the like, such as for example on a bracket.

Mounting brackets may be provided for mounting accessories such as for example shelves, pot plants, clothesline carriers, racks and rails, and the like. Preferably the mounting brackets include a chamber for receiving jaw bodies so as to provide lateral stability.

Preferably the mounting brackets also include a projection or flange for cooperating with a slot, preferably the longitudinal through slot for lateral support.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mounting apparatus for clamping to a wall so that articles may be supported on the wall by the mounting apparatus, the wall having a plurality of niches, each of which include niche sides, the mounting apparatus including: at least two jaw bodies for engaging with respective niche sides; and a drive apparatus operatively connected to the jaw bodies which includes an expansion drive apparatus for providing either an expansion drive force or a clamping drive force for relative drive between the at least two jaw bodies, wherein at least one of the jaw bodies and the drive apparatus are interengaged so that an expansion or drive input to the drive apparatus results in a corresponding and repeatable expansion or clamping relative movement respectively between the jaw bodies.

Although the mounting apparatus is adapted for. attachment to walls having niches, particularly rake cavities of brick walls, the mounting apparatus is also effective in mounting to rails such as for example horizontal rails on picket fences and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to enable a clearer understanding of the invention, drawings illustrating an example embodiment are attached, and in those drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from in front and one side of a mounting apparatus apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the mounting apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket for mounting the mounting apparatus to an accessory, the mounting bracket connected to an accessory being a pot plant;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rail assembly which is in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a shelf bracket assembly for supporting shelving in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the rear of a mounting bracket for mounting the rail of FIG. 4;

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings there is shown a mounting apparatus generally indicated at 10 which may clamp to a wall 5. The wall 5 in the arrangement shown includes a plurality of niches or rake cavities 6, each having niche sides, the wall being in this application in the form of a brick wall 7, so that a niche or rake cavity side 1, 2, 3, 4, corresponds to any side of a brick 8 which extends beyond a mortar grouting 9.

The mounting apparatus 10 includes at least two jaw bodies 12 and 14 which are in the form of jaw blocks 13 and 15 and which are adapted to engage with respective niche sides or rake cavity sides 1-4 by abutting the niche side with inner engagement walls 16, 17 or outer engagement walls 18, 19 of a lip 20 which extends from the jaw block 13, 15.

The inner engagement wall 16, 17 extends from the jaw blocks 13, 15 in a tapering manner so as to engage in a manner so as to counteract forces perpendicular to the wall 5. Advantageously, this arrangement facilitates the mounting of clotheslines and other arrangements where forces tend to pull the mountings normal to the wall 5. The outer engagement wall 18, 19 may also taper to add this functionality.

A drive apparatus 30 is provided so as to drive the jaw bodies 12 and 14 relative to one another and into or out of engagement with the niche sides 1-4 of the wall 5. The drive apparatus 30 is operatively connected to both jaw bodies 12, 14 and includes an interengaged mechanism 32 so as to provide a positive drive in which a selected degree of movement of the drive apparatus causes a corresponding, repeatable relative movement of the jaw bodies.

The drive apparatus 30 includes a threaded bar 34 which includes a first thread 35 and a second thread 36, each interengaged with a respective threaded bore 37, 38 in respective jaw bodies 12, 14. A hexagonal nut 41 is integral with the bar 34 and operates both threads 35, 36. The first thread 35 is a left-hand thread 39 and the second thread is a right-hand thread 40 so that a rotation of the hexagonal nut by a selected angle in one direction drives the jaw bodies 12,14 apart by a selected distance and vice versa so as to provide a turnbuckle. Lock nuts (not shown) may be provided to inhibit relative movement of the jaw bodies 12, 14 from a selected relative disposition.

Mounting devices 50 are provided for mounting articles on the jaw bodies 12, 14, which include apertures 52 in the form of slots 54, 56 which are disposed parallel to the wall 5. Slot 54 is a transverse trench 55 having open ends 57, 59 so as to provide a hook 58 for mounting picture wire (not shown) and the like. Slot 56 is a longitudinally-extending through aperture 60 with side walls 62, 64 so as to provide a lateral boundary for a solid flange, such as for example flange 65 on a mounting bracket 70. Each aperture 52 includes a locating bevel 51 so as to facilitate assembly and location of the flange 65 into the slot. Jaw body 14 has the same trenches and through slots as on jaw body 12, simply mirrored.

Mounting bracket 70 includes a chamber 71 for receiving the jaw bodies 12, 14 and a projection or flange 72 extending downwards from a top wall 73 so as to insert into longitudinal through-aperture 60. The flange 72 is disposed at a selected distance from a rear wall 74 of the chamber so as to ease assembly. A second flange or wire or other projection may be provided to engage with base trench 155.

In operation the user operates the drive apparatus 30 so as to separate the lips 20 by about the distance between niches 6, which in this case is about a brick height, and pushes the lips 20 into the niches 6 (or adjacent a pair of spaced-apart projecting walls). The hex nut 41 is rotated and the jaw bodies 12, 14 are driven a corresponding distance towards one another to clamp the engagement faces 16, 17 around a brick by engaging its rake cavity walls.

If the outer faces of the brick over which the mounting apparatus 10 has been placed are not suitable, or for some other reason, then the drive mechanism 30 may be operated to drive the lips 20 apart so that engagement walls 18, 19 abut the niche walls of the adjacent brick (base face of the upper brick and the upper face of the lower brick).

The mounting bracket may be then attached and the accessory selected.

In order to release the mounting apparatus from its mounted position, the mounting bracket 70 is removed from the jaw bodies 12, 14 and the hexagonal nut is reversed from the direction it was turned to apply the mounting apparatus 10 to the wall. The reversing action of the nut 41, because of the preferred interengagement of the drive apparatus and the jaw bodies 12, 14, causes a selected positive or corresponding or direct relative movement between the jaw bodies 12, 14 so as to draw the lips 20 in a repeatable and/or controlled manner away from the niche walls against which they were abutting.

Referring to FIG. 5 a shelf bracket 80 is shown which has tabs (not shown) which extend into slot 60 so as to mount the shelf bracket onto the jaw body 12. FIG. 6 shows, similarly to FIG. 3, a chamber 171 for receiving the jaw bodies 12, 14 and a flange 165 for inserting into trench 55 or through aperture 60. The rails shown in FIG. 4 then mount in the cradles shown.

The jaw blocks 13, 15 are constructed from injection moulded plastic and in one variation may be only as wide as an inter-brick niche 6 so that the lip 20 may be omitted and the jaw body 12, 14 may abut the opposed niche faces (say) 98 and 99 with engagement walls 18 and 19. This provides a low-profile jaw body 12, 14 so as to reduce the bodies' extension from wall 5 to reduce outward pulling force.

Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. 

1. A mounting apparatus for clamping to a wall having a plurality of niches, each of which comprises niche sides, the mounting apparatus comprising: at least two jaw bodies for engaging with respective niche sides; and a drive apparatus operatively connected to at least one of the jaw bodies which comprises an expansion drive apparatus for providing at least an expansion drive force to drive the at least two jaw bodies away from one another so as in use to mount the jaw bodies on niche sides which generally face one another, whether or not the niche sides are in the same niche.
 2. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the drive apparatus comprises a clamping drive so as to drive the jaw bodies towards one another in a clamping action so as in use to mount the jaw bodies on niche sides which generally face away from one another.
 3. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the jaw bodies are adapted to abut rake cavity faces of brick walls.
 4. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein each jaw body is in the form of a jaw block so as to provide a high degree of strength of support for articles supported by the mounting apparatus.
 5. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein the jaw block comprises a lip so as to insert into the niche to gain a grip on a niche face.
 6. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein the lip comprises an engagement wall which tapers outwards from the jaw block to provide additional grip in a plane normal to the wall, which improves tear-out force.
 7. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the drive apparatus includes an interengaged mechanism so as to provide a positive drive in which a selected movement of the drive apparatus results in a corresponding and repeatable relative movement of the jaw bodies towards or away from one another.
 8. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the drive apparatus is a threaded bar to facilitate repeatability of operation and positive drive.
 9. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the threaded bar is mounted in opposed faces of the jaw bodies when installed so as to facilitate accurate positioning of the jaw bodies when the drive apparatus is moved.
 10. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the threaded bar comprises a right hand thread on one end and a left-hand thread on the other so as to provide a turnbuckle.
 11. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the drive apparatus further comprises a central hexagonal nut to facilitate grip and accurate force transfer to the niche sides.
 12. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the drive apparatus further comprises lock nuts to facilitate holding the jaw bodies in a selected clamped position.
 13. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the threaded bar when assembled mounts in threaded apertures on opposed faces of the jaw bodies.
 14. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mounting apparatus further comprises one or more mounting devices for mounting articles on the jaw bodies.
 15. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein the mounting devices comprise one or more slots arranged parallel to the wall when installed so as to mount articles on the jaw bodies.
 16. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein the slots are formed in the upper and lower surfaces to provide extra purchase for mounting brackets.
 17. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein the slots are spaced from the wall when installed, so as to facilitate mounting of bracketry and other items on the jaw bodies.
 18. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein the slots are in the form of transverse slots or longitudinal slots.
 19. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein transverse slots extend from side wall to side wall so as to form a hook for mounting a wire for a picture frame.
 20. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein the longitudinal slots extend through the jaw body and provide walls to provide lateral stability for a mating flange.
 21. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the mounting apparatus comprises mounting brackets for mounting a shelf, a pot plant, a clothesline carrier, a rack and or a rail.
 22. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein the each mounting bracket comprises a chamber for receiving jaw bodies so as to provide lateral stability.
 23. A mounting apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein each mounting bracket also comprises a projection or flange for cooperating with a slot.
 24. A mounting apparatus for clamping to a wall having a plurality of niches, each of which include niche sides, the mounting apparatus comprising: at least two jaw bodies for engaging with respective niche sides; and a drive apparatus operatively connected to the jaw bodies which comprises an expansion drive apparatus for providing either an expansion drive force or a clamping drive force for relative drive between the at least two jaw bodies, wherein at least one of the jaw bodies and the drive apparatus are interengaged so that an expansion or drive input to the drive apparatus results in a corresponding and repeatable expansion or clamping relative movement respectively between the jaw bodies.
 25. (canceled) 